I had my birthday brunch here and it was DELICIOUS! All the food was 10/10. I had the Kale Hummus, the seasonal dips platter, the chicken shwarma, and a few drinks. I think the highlight of the meal was the kale hummus and the surprise chocolate peanut butter ganache dessert. It was SOOO good! The service was fantastic, quick and easy. The ambiance was great, nothing loud and crazy. Just perfect enough to engage with the people at my table. And the lighting and decor was minimalistic and beautiful. I really loved it and can't wait to be back read more

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The food was amazing and the portion were huge! The restaurant itself is very small so definitely make a reservation. The papas bravas were a 10/0. read more

Avec - Chicago - Papas Bravas / Avocado Toast - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Avec is definitely a different experience compared to your typical Chicago restaurant, but I think that makes it stand out. You're seated next to others like in a school cafeteria... just a classier and more intimate version. It's a bustling environment, but seems to be suitable for a variety of occasions, including date nights and corporate events. I wasn't necessarily in love with it, but I did enjoy getting to see what others were ordering, and occasionally we would exchange a few words with those around us. Our server was very helpful and accommodating, and provided a detailed description of different menu items. If anything, he went even more in detail than we were expecting lol The food was pretty remarkable (for the most part). Between me and my boyfriend, we ordered: - Chorizo-stuffed Medjool Dates: very good and flavorful, works surprisingly well although the date flavor is strong, came with bread too - Short rib hummus: my fav item, had a sweet sauce that made it taste kinda like BBQ. We did have to order an extra pita because we felt that the one it came with wasn't enough - Slow roasted pork shoulder: def the most underwhelming dish, came with clams but honestly I feel like they didn't add anything. Less flavorful than the others but still comforting I think because we were so blown away by our first two dishes, the pork shoulder ended up being a little disappointing. However, I was absolutely stuffed by the end and very satisfied, and usually I pride myself on having a pretty big appetite. I would say everything is a little more on the pricier side, but I would still recommend for a special occasion! read more

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beautiful interior of a restaurant!! my expectations here were high but unfortunately i don't think this quite met it. everyone was very polite and professional, loved how attentive they were with filling our waters. a must get dish ofc is the braised short ribs hummus -- the short ribs were cooked perfectly, so tender, and the edges were sweet and crispy. wish there was more hummus tho given the price point!!!! chorizo dates were good, some parts were surprisingly sweet but the sauce was spicy and overall balanced the dish out. unfortunately the pappardelle was a huge miss -- unique to try but fell flat. i wish we'd gotten the guanciale & spinach pizza instead. also $$$$ and not totallyyy worth the price imo read more

Avec - Chicago - pappardelle - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came for dinner - atmosphere is comfortable and chic but quarters are tight, ambient noise is moderate. We liked our cocktails, would recommend. Food presentation was fun and put together. The dishes that stood out were the vegetable appetizers, including beet salad and sweet potatoes. Dates were good but swimming in pork which overpowered the dish. Pita was amazing, the hummus that came with it was unremarkable. Pork shoulder was tender but heavy and plain. Fish was decent and tender, again a bit plain with a sad, soggy exterior but the sauce gave it some needed zip. Overall food was nothing special and just too bland across the board. We had a fun time, 3.5 stars. read more

Avec - Chicago - Beet Beet And Plum Salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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No clue where to start! lol Ok how about I couldn't find the door....its a wooden door on the right which is hidden in my opinion but I entered and was welcomed immediately. I chose seats at the "bar" instead of the communal tables they have. I believe our waitress said her name was Jo (forgive me if I'm wrong) but she was sooo nice and checked on us several times. Her recommendations were SPOT ON! My drink was good, the chorizo dates were CHEF'S KISS!!! OMG! Next time I'm getting the full order! The rotisserie chicken was really good too! Listen I have ZERO complaints and I'll be RUNNING BACK very soon!!!! read more

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Avec is super cute, and most of the seating inside is one long table. I liked it, but the party next to us was a little loud so I had a hard time hearing my friend sometimes because one of the ladies was so loud. The hummus was soooooooo good!!! The rotisserie chicken was delicious, could have a bit more juicy but it was good. The espresso martini was a bit small for the price. Tuesdays is 1/2 price wine bottles! My only note is that is a bit pricey but the portions are huge so I felt a bit better. The ambiance is nice and trendy! read more

Avec - Chicago - Hummus & Pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is a long overdue review but I came to Avec during Chicago Restaurant Week in the beginning of the year and enjoyed the overall experience. We went to the West Loop location and the space was small yet inviting. The seating situation was tough since it's a community style so you will be elbow to elbow next to a stranger but we made the most of it. I would highly recommend making reservations as the place gets busy and filled especially during the weekends. For the food, we really enjoyed the chorizo stuffed medjool dates with bacon and piquillo pepper sauce. It was a balance of salty and sweetness and the sauce was perfectly seasoned and dipped well with the bread. For the large plate, the roasted chicken thigh kabsa was delicious! The meat was really tender and the basmati rice was flavorful and with the addition of almonds and saffron. Since we dined in during Chicago Restaurant Week, the menu was fixed but I am really looking forward to coming back and trying different dishes in their menu. I love tapas and getting to try and share multiple meals and the quality of ingredients is top notch! read more

Stopped in while in town for a show. Ambiance was cozy and familiar, not too cramped. Service was excellent without hovering or checking in every two seconds. Finally, the food was insane! Still dreaming of this dinner. They do a great job of providing elevated food in an approachable way. Can't recommend this place enough! read more

Avec - Chicago - Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

On Maven's faves, always revisited on a trip to Chicago, dipped into their cozy counter-forward home base to get a taste of what I've been missing. The roasted sweet corn is closing out the season, bringing me into America's heartland with bright peaches, cherry tomatoes, pickled fresnos for spice, covered in freshly shaved Parmesan making the dish quite fulfilling. It was very good, probably best a little earlier in the season, but gratuitously enjoyed. They define themselves as a wine-focused restaurant, with a smart menu organized by color then region, with a good variety (and options of pours) by the glass. Also appreciated - glorious cocktails, mocktails, and appertifs going into amaros, madeiras, tawnys & ports. The thing that keeps me showing up time & again - Chorizo-stuffed Dates. These candy-like morsels filled with spicy Spanish sausage, wrapped in perfectly caramelized bacon, sitting waist-deep in rich red pepper-infused tomato sauce are every person's I-dream-of-Tapas and likely what landed them on the Michelin. Served with a crusty edge of sourdough (that sauce is made for dipping!), these dates never disappoint, showing up perfect (or better than memory serves!) every time. A pleasure and comfort to enjoy. Okay let's talk about dessert. A nice chamomile tea with rose infusion served the fancy way (loosely in a pot) is a nice way to slow down, and pairs surprisingly well with sweets. The Nutter Butter square is bite-sized perfection - crispy, crunchy, peanut-buttery and topped in rich chocolate ganache with approximately zero guilt on account of its size. Highly recommended! This is the perfect time of year to enjoy their patio, but ambiance is excellent in or out, and service a top focus. As long as I love Chicago, I'll be looking to confirm some great things never change, and this trip Avec makes the list! read more

Avec - Chicago - Nutter Butter Square - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Avec is an unassuming place from the outside but what you'll find on the inside is a treat. The ambiance is homey and tight knit but the food was really tasty! The spreads that came with the cheese was unique but the hummus and pita almost stole the show with how great it tasted. The pizza was also unique and something you won't find elsewhere. It's a bit pricy however and you can feel cheated on the portions but overall a great restaurant to explore or bring friends/family for a special occasion! read more

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This weekend for restaurant week in Chicago, we have returned to Avec. Last time, we were attending a special art event upstairs in the private event area. Initially, the entrance is very confusing for those who have not seen it. There appears one door straight ahead with a keypad. That's the stairs to the private area but you wouldn't know from the lack of signage. The true door is wooden to your right in the entranceway. It looks like a wall... push it. Upon entering you immediately get blasted by the loud... very loud chatter in the room. The restaurant if very thin and lacks any appropriate space to move around effectively. The lady behind the check in was friendly and sat us 5 minutes early for our reservation. The tables are long wooden picnic tables with wooden benches on one side and uncomfortable wooden chairs on the other. The room and furniture are very poor in choice. The room acts like a very loud echo chamber to the point most people were leaning over the tables to have any type of conversation because you cannot hear them without yelling. The tables sit 3-4 on each side with no break in the middle. So if anyone is sat or needs to get up in the middle, everyone needs to get up from the table so someone can go to the bathroom. Think of half the restaurant's seating being equivalent sitting in the middle seat on Spirit Airlines. Now for what we are here for, the food. We were on the limited menu for Restaurant Week. We tried the red lentil soup and bacon wrapped dates stuffed with Chorizo. The lentil soup was tasty, but it didn't really stand out from any other good squash based soup we have had. The stuffed dates were absolutely excellent! The are big, stuffed with really good chorizo, and the bacon was perfect on the outside. The red tomato sauce it comes with has a little kick but not enough to turn off spice sensitive diners. The bread the dates come with was good, but the crust is like trying to cut a lobster shell with a butter knife. If you cut it from the underside you stand a chance! Next came the main dishes. My wife got the chicken wrap and I got the lamb burger. The wrap was tasty but not earth shattering. Chicken was tender and burst with Mediterranean spices and tahini sauce. The lamb burger was tender but a little gamy. I like lamb, so it was ok for me. The burger just seemed middle of the road, just made with lamb and basic Mediterranean garnishes similar to a gyro minus the seasoning you find on lamb gyros. The chips that come with each dish were really good, but wow were they salty! Desert were 2 squares of chocolate peanut butter bites. They are very good! Overall, I don't think we will be back to Avec. The food was decent, but definitely not worth fighting the poor cramped room and yelling to each other over the insane noise levels. read more

Avec - Chicago - Small and VERY LOUD - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We came here for our anniversary and all the food here was delicious! We made a reservation in advanced because the west loop location is rather small and doesn't have too much seating. That's one thing that I didn't love, it's very cramped inside and we were so close to the couple next to us it's hard to have your own conversations. Because it's one long table that everyone shared it doesn't feel super intimate and our dishes were touching each other. Other than that though the food was delicious and the hummus with beef ribs is a must order!! read more

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Avec has blew the Chicago Restaurant Week out of the waters. The medrool date, lamb burger, whitefish tartine and nutter butters were all hits. The medrool dates is drenched with marinara sauce and spongey ciabatta bread. The charred whitefish tartine could use a little more salt, but otherwise the bread was phenomenal. I especially loved the lamb burger as the bread is super pillow and soft. While the dining space is very small, sitting along the bar was roomy. Definitely check this place out. All the staff members are very friendly here! I would definitely come back to try more items. Avec forever! read more

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I came here for dinner with a friend and loved the community seating style. We were seated between two other pairs, which added a fun element to our dining experience as we all kept glancing at each other's dishes, helping us decide what to order. We tried a variety of dishes, sampling something from nearly every section of the menu. From the small plates, we had the Medjool dates, a favorite of many, and it's easy to see why! The chorizo was incredibly well seasoned, perfectly balanced by the sweetness of the dates. We couldn't get enough. Next, we had the butcher steak, also from the small plates, which was perfectly cooked, tender, and juicy. From the hummus section, we chose the short rib hummus, another outstanding dish. The short rib was also incredibly tender and flavorful, beautifully complemented by the creamy and smooth hummus. Finally, we tried the pork shoulder, which was the least favorite of our selections. While the flavor was good, the pork was disappointingly dry, even with the sauce it was cooked in. I would probably skip this dish next time, but I hope to be back soon! read more

Avec - Chicago - medjool dates - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I had a great first visit to this place and would definitely return if I lived in Chicago. It's not a very big place, but they have a couple of outdoor tables. The staff is very friendly and ensures that you have the best experience during your visit. Their menu isn't extensive, but that's actually appreciated as it can be overwhelming to decide what to eat. The kitchen specializes in what they offer, and you can taste the quality and flavors in every bite. While the dishes aren't overly complex, the flavors and quality of the ingredients definitely shine through. read more

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We visited Chicago for a few days to see a show at the Chicago theater and decided to stop by Avec for dinner. I cannot rave about this place enough. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious, and we decided to go to brunch the next day because of how good dinner was. Service was great, and they were all super friendly. Great ambiance for a date night. Will definitely visit again! read more

Avec - Chicago - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I would say 4-4.5. Food review is basically exactly the same. Most favorite, dates and hummus. The reason I went down a bit was our seating arrangement. We know it's basically communal seating. It is what it is. However if you are on the back of the restaurant by the bathrooms...it gets insanely hot. Multiple people were complaining (and sweating). It's because the wood burning over is near there as well. They really need to do something to fix that, because it's very unpleasant. Even if they find a way to divert more air conditioning there. read more

Finally made it to Avec West Loop for brunch with close friends, and overall, it was a great experience! The space is small but super cute, making it feel warm and intimate. We were seated by the door, which was a little chilly, but honestly, the fantastic service more than made up for it--our server was incredibly kind and attentive! Now, onto the food: * Endive & Shaved Apple Salad - Not really our thing. The flavors didn't quite hit the mark for us. * Shakshouka - Absolutely amazing! Easily the highlight of our meal. The flavors were rich, perfectly spiced, and so comforting. * Chickpea Hummus with Soft Egg - Pretty nice! A solid dish with a good portion size, smooth texture, and well-balanced flavors. * Papas Bravas - According to my friend, the best in the city! And honestly, they might be right--crispy, flavorful, and just overall delicious. Despite the slight chill from sitting by the door, Avec West Loop is a great brunch spot with a cozy atmosphere, stellar service, and standout dishes (seriously, get the shakshouka!). I'd definitely come back to try more of their menu! read more

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Avec is my number one recommendation in Chicago whenever someone is coming to visit. Four of us went during the summer and I think we ordered almost the entire menu and shared. At the end of the meal I think it was just over $130 a person, which is a great deal given how good the food is. The staff was extremely friendly chatting with us and explaining the menu. The food came out in a steady pace ensuring we still had room on the table. I still dream about the hummus and heirloom carrots, but everything is amazing. The chorizo dates were creamy and well spiced, the pork belly was tender, everything was great even the dessert. Since we sat outside, I didn't really have a chance to see the interior of the restaurant but if you watch Sydney doing her food tour of Chicago in The Bear you get a sneak peak. read more

Avec was my last dinner in Chicago. My conference ended at 3:30pm, so I knew I wanted a super early dinner. When I checked in, I was offered a bar seat, which suited me just fine. I had no idea that they had happy hour, so I was thrilled when I was given a HH menu at the bar. Looks like it's from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. I was there on a Monday night. I had the bartender's choice cocktail from the HH menu, which was a twist on an aperol spritz. For food, I had the Potato and Salted Cod Brandade with Garlic Bread off the HH menu and it was absolutely divine. So creamy and flavorful. I would eat this any day. I also had the Chorizo-stuffed Medjool Dates from the HH menu and this was a little spicy, a little sweet, and a little salty. Perfectly seasoned. For dessert, of course, I had to have the sweet melon sorbet. I'm a sucker for anything melon flavored, so this was a no-brainer for me. It was so refreshing! Service was attentive and I would not hesitate to come back on my next trip to Chicago. read more

We came by for brunch on Sunday and the restaurant was filled with folks enjoying their meal. :) There is plenty of street parking, along with parking lots nearby to make for easy parking, just be sure to read the signage so you don't get a ticket. The restaurant was super easy to spot on the outside, but when you walk in you might miss it if you blink. There is a hidden wooden door dirty to your right it's avec written right on it. The hallway was super quiet but the moment you open the door it was a party! The host quickly sat us down after we checked in for our reservation. We were running a tad late so I wanted to give them a call but no one answered, likely because it was so loud you couldn't hear the phone ring. BUT if you message them on open table when they reach out to confirm your reservation they will respond immediately. :) We were quickly seated. The farm style seating available in the restaurant meant that you could possibly be sharing the table with folks you don't know. Which we certainly don't mind. Since we were seated at the end, when folks were seated in the middle of a table we had to get up for them to shimmy in and it got a bit cramped to be bumping elbows with folks we didn't know while eating. But they did warn us before seating which is great but still a bit crowded when you're actually seated with plates. We decided to try the restaurant week menu and added a few items on that sounded interesting to try. To start, we got a pistachio coffee cake. This was delish, it was moist and super flavorful. Shortly after, the pork belly came out sizzling on the platter. It was crispy but what absolutely wow'd was the flavor, the sauce was everything I didn't know I needed. The papas bravas had a nice kick to it but the cheese on top helped. The idea of smashed potatoes and roasted like this is so great! Next up we had the lamb burger which wasn't my favorite, but the different toppings were great! It also came with a lentil salad. Lastly, was the shashouka. Boy did the flavors on this one come out, be care of the fresnos if you can't handle the heat! It does sneak in when you don't expect it. By the end of the meal we were so full we had to pack up our entrees to take home and enjoy later. It was too good to waste. All in all we had a great experience, we'll have to come back for dinner next time. :) read more

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Great Mediterranean place! The ambiance was amazing and the service was fast and friendly. Would definitely recommend coming here :) read more

Avec - Chicago - Interior - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Such a beautiful spot in the west loop! Pretty busy so would recommend getting a reservation if possible. My friend and I came in on a saturday evening at around 7pm and it was filled with diners. The interior gave japanese inspired vibes with their natural wood walls, long corridor-like shape and simplistic furniture. Seating is interesting -- you share long tables and benches so expect to be in close proximity with other people. Portions are pretty decent and we only had enough room for 2 small plates and dessert: - Chorizo stuffed medjool dates: I wasn't expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. the tomato sauce underneath was sweet, bacon was salty and chorizo filling was spicy and moist. The bread that came with the dates was crispy on the outside but soft and fluffy on the inside. - Short rib hummus: pita bread was so soft and fluffy, flavorful. There was a very generous portion of hummus, which was incredible w the olive oil. Short rib was smoky and so tender it tore apart easily. Onions and parsley added refreshing taste - Profiterole: great pistachio ice cream (not too overpowering and there were pistachio chunks, not too soft), crunchy nuts, very sweet w the honey and rose petals I've been told that avec has a seasonal menu so they change up their dishes, but I loved their offerings for this rotation. Highly recommend and would love to come back in the future! read more

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I very much enjoyed the menu that's is offered at this restaurant. I struggle with the seating arrangement knowing that it's a rustic style restaurant. - I preferred Blackbird yet, I understand that these two menus are very different and the concepts are not meant to be synonymous. - Blackbird was a white tablecloth restaurant with an amazing contemporary menu and fantastic service as well as a intimate ambience. I'm so sad to hear that it has closed. read more

Avec is like your friend who's low-key brilliant and never brags. Everything's good--but the chorizo-stuffed Medjool dates are god-tier. Salty, sweet, spicy, melty--it hits every quadrant of your tongue. The braised short rib with polenta and gremolata was a knockout, insanely tender, and not over-sauced. The space is warm and wood-heavy but never feels cramped. Staff keeps it casual and intuitive. They know when to step in, when to let you linger. Don't sleep on the wine list either--it's curated but not pretentious, and the orange wine by the glass? Killer with the charcuterie. read more

Celebrated a special milestone in my friend's career at Avec the other day and had a wonderful time. Our server was very sweet and gave us a complimentary glass of wine to celebrate. We ordered a few dishes including the lamb flatbread, shaved apple salad, and the grilled prawns. We also had a bottle of Rosé and a cappuccino to end the night. I loved all the dishes but my favorite was the apple salad. I was a little skeptical of the pita and shrimp dish but it was AMAZING all the ingredient work so well together. My friend and I are also not big lamb fans, but the flatbread was so good and we could barely tell it was lamb. I will definitely be back! read more

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Avec was my favorite restaurant during a trip to Chicago. The ambience is beautiful wood floor to ceiling. The service was outstanding and the bartender was super knowledgeable about the offerings. They are very accommodating to dietary restrictions and allergies. Their hummus was absolutely amazing. I also loved the charred sweet potato. Overall I highly recommend Avec! read more

Came back for brunch to celebrate a birthday, and Avec didn't disappoint! For a table of two...we definitely ordered too much. The trick is to ask for half portions, if possible. The waitstaff were amazing and so friendly. Must haves are the medjool and chorizo dates, roasted corn & freekeh tabbouleh , spicy tomato shashuka, and the butcher Ms beef (beautifully cooked!) The drink menu was different from last year. Mr Bullock was a very boozy old fashioned and the Paper Mache was refreshing. Must come back to finish tasting the rest of the menu! read more

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We dined at the West Loop location of Avec and unfortunately experienced some of the worst service I have ever encountered. This restaurant was recommended to us by the hostess at Ever, a Michelin starred restaurant, so we did not hesitate to choose it for lunch. We were aware it was communal seating, but we were not prepared for how uncomfortable the environment would be. The first third of the restaurant was extremely cold due to constant wind coming in from the front door. We were seated at the last two bar seats closest to the door, and it was cold enough that I had to keep my wool coat and scarf on throughout the meal. My fingernails were blue from the cold the entire time. The metal bar seating only amplified this issue and felt like a poorly considered design choice given Chicago winters. The restaurant was loud, which is expected in a busy space, but the behavior of the staff made the experience far worse. There is no separate host stand; instead, the host works directly off the same bar where guests are seated. The host, an early-40s man with a mustache, was positioned immediately next to us on the same metal bar. Throughout our meal, he repeatedly clicked a pen, shook it in his hand, and tapped it loudly on the bar. When he was not doing that, he was aggressively shuffling and slamming menus onto the bar directly in front of us, inches from our food. Staff repeatedly leaned their hands on the bar directly in our dining space, using the area immediately surrounding our plates for side tasks. It felt intrusive, claustrophobic, and unsanitary. We had virtually no personal space, even around our own plates. Communication from the waitstaff was also lacking. We ordered four small plates to share between the two of us. The hummus was tasty but came with only a single pita despite a very large portion of hummus. We ran out of bread halfway through and were left eating the remaining hummus with our spoons. Our next dish was the sweet potato dish, which was set down and the server immediately walked away without comment or warning. It was served on a thin metal plate with handles, with no indication that the dish itself had been heated. There was no warning that the plate was hot and no protective cloth provided. While I was serving the dish, the plate shifted and spun on the metal bar with each scoop, and my partner instinctively grabbed the handle to steady it, burning his hand badly enough to leave a visible pink mark. At this point, the environment had become overwhelming. I was freezing, my partner had been burned, people were coughing around us, the host continued making noise beside us, and staff continued reaching into our dining space. Given everything happening at once, we felt it was probably best to cancel the remaining two dishes and leave. My partner and I politely asked our waitress, a late-50s woman with tattoos and dark brown curly hair, if it might be possible to cancel the rest of our dishes. Rather than asking why, she immediately became defensive and said they were already in the kitchen. My partner offered to still pay for the dishes and suggested they be given to another guest if possible. She did not respond to that suggestion and walked away without acknowledging him, which felt like an odd reaction given that we had simply asked a question. When she returned, she brought the check and said the remaining dishes had been removed. Without asking, she immediately reached over and grabbed my partner's half-full plate to clear it while he was still actively eating. Shocked, I said that he was still eating and that she should have asked first. Instead of apologizing or stepping away, she became argumentative and began speaking at us in an increasingly aggressive manner. She continued talking at us for approximately two to three minutes without pause while I was visibly distressed, rocking back and forth in my chair, turning my body away from her, and looking to my partner with fear and concern on my face. Despite these clear signals, she did not disengage. Her refusal to stop or step away triggered a fight-or-flight response in me, and I was on the verge of a panic attack. She continued speaking at us without our consent, escalating the situation unnecessarily. The interaction felt hostile, overwhelming, and entirely unservice-oriented. When she finally walked away, we paid and exited as quickly as possible. Even after everything, we tipped 20 percent because we believe it is unethical not to tip. We left shaken and upset. This review is not about the food itself, but about the extremely inconsiderate, intrusive, and unprofessional service we experienced. I would caution others, especially those sensitive to overstimulation, personal space, or aggressive interpersonal interactions, to be aware of how uncomfortable and hostile the service can feel here, even without any complaint being made. read more

Avec - Chicago - Mediterranean Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Oh my goodness. There is something in the air at Avec. This was such a flavorful and delicious meal. Avec has a bustling and cozy environment that makes it so fun for dates and group dinners. I came with a group of 5 and we shared everything (they recommend family style!!). The experience was great because they were slowly bringing out our dishes (rather than bombarding us with everything at once) so it was a drawn-out and fun dinner experience. One of our FAVORITES was the charred sweet potato with whipped jalapeno feta, ponzu, and roasted cashew dukkah. This was a sleeper HIT. The sweet potato was perfectly charred-- a great balance of smoky and a bit sweet(?). I absolutely loved the bed of whipped feta it was on as well. Genuinely so flavorful and amazing. Please get this. We also ordered the wild Mexican prawns with rose petal shatta, cherry tomatoes, and pita. Another good dish. The prawns were massive and the tomatoes were juicy (literally bursting with flavorful juices). The pita was also so soft and warm and pillowy, a perfect vehicle to soak up all the fun sauces. The chorizo-stuffed dates with bacon piquillo pepper-tomato sauce were also good but not a must-get for me. I didn't love that the sauce tasted so strongly of straight red bell pepper. The taste wasn't very multi-dimensional (like the sweet potatoes were). We ordered the 'deluxe' focaccia with taleggio cheese, ricotta, and truffle from the large plates. Wow. This was a very nontraditional thin focaccia. The inside was the creamy, ricotta, truffle-y mixture that contrasted well with the crispy thin warm focaccia. We also got the roasted kale, marinated farmer's cheese and fried shallot hummus. TBH the hummus didn't blow me away but it was very solid. The pita (as always) was delicious and paired well with the hummus. This was such a great restaurant! The staff were so friendly and attentive. From answering all our questions about the menu, chatting with us about random topics, filling our glasses with water, and not rushing us, I felt very cozy and at peace here. If I lived in Chicago, Avec would definitely be a repeat for me (and I don't say that lightly). read more

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Don't come here unless you want to sweat your butt off and be uncomfortable . No air conditioning Fans around the room were useless The bathrooms are disgusting and smell moldy There's also a stairway to a basement that has black mold all over it I really hope they dont store food down there! read more

I found this place from the "Infatuation" as they rated it 9.0 being the best of the best, so of course, my expectations were really high. And let me say, my expectations were exceeded greatly. The aesthetic of the restaurant was minimalistic yet chic. I loved the wood throughout the entire dining room and the open kitchen towards the back. The food was outstanding as the flavors were bold while being perfectly balanced. Trust me when I say this, the food is one of kind. Lastly, the service was terrific. The staff were friendly, continuously checked on us, and made sure our glasses were always full. Yes, this place is on the pricey side, but it is so for a reason. I'm a firm believer in you get what you pay for, and at Avec, you're paying for excellence. It's truly best of the best. read more

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This place feels exceptional. Sparse, combing interior and depth of flavor with both light and heavier fare. On the recommendation of my server, I got the prefix lunch, and I thought it was outstanding. Good value, my only criticism is I thought that the salmon was over cooked but it was still very enjoyable I think I just expected it to be more perfect since everything else was that way. Keep up the good work avec ! read more

Good: we (party of four) especially liked the deluxe focaccia and the whole roasted Sea-bass. Fair: the charred sweet potato, the woodfired calamari, the chorizo stuffed dates were all more spicy than we wanted, but clearly a lot of effort went into preparing each of these dishes. Bad: the restaurant is tiny and we felt like we were sardines in a can at our Overcrowded community table. There was no place to hang our coats. The noise level was amazingly high so that it was hard to talk to each other even when we were sitting across the table from each other. read more

The vibe at Avec is 100 chill. I don't know how to describe it but it's really nice. It is a small restaurant so a reservation is highly recommended. All I have to say before diving into my review is "believe the hype". Avec is a classy yet chill restaurant. The food is very tasty and comes out "family style". My friend and decided to try 2 small plates and one of their dips and that was more than enough for us. We started with the salmon hummus dip with pita bread. I was curious about this combination (fish) with hummus and let me just say that it works. The hummus was fresh, the salmon was cooked to perfection and they balanced one another out. Our second dish was chorizo stuffed medjool dates. To me this was the star of our dinner. The flavor of the chorizo despite it being a bit on the spicy side just worked very well with the sweetness of the dates. The piquillo pepper tomato sauce with the bread was equally delicious. To finish we ordered the grilled butcher steak that was served with a chili sesame crisp. Drink wise, I had the Paper Mache which is a rye based drink. It was tart but tasty. My overall experience was excellent will definitely come back when I am in town . read more

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I wasn't very fond of the food. We were a group of about 15 and ordered some of the pasta dishes which were very small and not very tasteful ie mushroom. I ordered the lamb pita and the two sauces weren't event very complimenting to the dish. I don't know. I had so many hopes. Brut service and ambiance weee a plus. Just wouldn't go back. read more

What a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday! Came with my daughter to toast her big day- wonderful! First our server was amazing! A significant lunch hour rush and she remained extremely attentive and so friendly. We had the chorizo stuffed dates, which are their specialty- so delicious, meaty, savory and sweet. My daughter had her favorite farmers salad- it was absolutely delicious. For lunch we shared the rotisserie shawarma chicken with hummus- amazing! The chicken was very well seasoned, moist and tender. The hummus was an add on which I highly recommend. Came with pickled peppers and 2 pitas. I will get again! We finished with the nutter bites and share an espresso martini- both delicious. I appreciate the effort of the staff, especially the server for ensuring that this day was special. read more

A very happy Happy Hour. So lucky to be able to enjoy a special Happy Hour with extended family on a beautiful, breezy late summer Friday afternoon. Made a reservation on TOCK. Such a great way to communicate, especially when we were running 15 minutes late. Scored a patio table. So nice to enjoy the sunshine under a wide red umbrella sharing a fun meal with those special someones that you don't see every day. Ordered two of the three half-priced Happy Hour (HH) starters. Available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4-5:30 PM. The potato and salted cod brandade with garlic crostini and chives was insanely delicious. This amazing dish from the south of France can be made many different ways, but it's usually some sort of combination of salt cod, potato, garlic, and olive oil. First time trying it but won't be the last. So yummy with the homemade crostini. Such a deal at only $9. So surprised at the full size for the other Happy Hour appetizer that we ordered. The hummus served with roasted baby carrots, smoked almond harissa, spring peas, feta and a hearth baked pita was plenty for our party of four. Another great value at $13 on the HH menu. We also added the 'deluxe' focaccia with taleggio cheese, ricotta, truffle oil and fresh herbs. Perfect to pair with the hummus. Next time will probably try the wood fired Romanesco shakshuka with Tunisian couscous, pickled fresno and tahini. Not a drinker, but my dining companions enjoyed their espresso martinis. Our water glasses were refilled frequently. Top choice in West Loop for Happy Hour with family or friends. read more

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It says a lot when a restaurant has been around for 20 years. Means even more when that neighborhood is the West Loop Avec is a Mediterranean spot that's been doing the shared plate & communal table combo long before it was cool. The first floor gets very crowded and is a bit noisy (but you'll recognize the interior from The Bear!!) Ask to be seated on the second floor if you prefer a more relaxed meal and separated tables. The winter squash was our FAV!! Roasted squash surrounded by labneh drizzled with pickled mango, rose, & petita. Loved how it was sweet and savory with a kick of spice. We scooped the plate clean with our extra pita Medjool dates has been on their menu for twenty years so it's a must try. Bacon wrapped & chorizo stuffed for a sweet, salty, and spicy bite. A whole lot of flavor and the tomato sauce adds that extra bit of acidity to elevate the dish from basic to special ‍ roasted winter squash $20* baby carrot hummus $26 extra pita $2.50* medjool dates $20 minced lamb flatbread $28 pavlova $12 시즌마다 변화되는 웨룹 식당들 사이에서 20년동안 자리를 지켜온 Avec! 피크타임에 가면 사람이 엄청 많으니까 예약 필수다. 일층은 공용 테이블 위주에 시끄러운 분위기고 좀더 조용한 식사를 원한다면 이층으로 부탁드리기 오픈때부터 쭉 메뉴에 있는 시그니쳐 medjool dates. 요건 주문 필수다. 쵸리죠가 들어간 대추를 베이컨으로 감싸 단맛, 짠맛, 매콤함까지 맛볼수있음. 극강의 한입이다. 나머지도 낫배드~ 시카고에 가면 츄라이 read more

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